However, the Silverstone-based squad confirmed on Wednesday morning that it had changed its plan, and it would instead sit out the Jerez test to concentrate on the first test at Barcelona on February 19, by which time the team’s 2015 car should be ready.

“We have chosen not to run the old (2014) car in Jerez,” the team tweeted. “The learning opportunities would have been limited so the focus is now on Barcelona.”

With Force India, Caterham and Marussia all missing, just eight teams will run at the opening test of 2015.